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Women's Health Across the Ages - From Menorrhagia to Menopause

Menstrual problems at all ages can be successfully investigated and treated by a specialist gynaecologist. At Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital, multi-lingual Ms Uma Bathula is a private gynaecological surgeon who specialises in managing menstrual problems, such as those affecting adolescents, concerns over heavy periods (menorrhagia) and women reaching the menopause.

Qualifying at one of the premier medical institutes of India, JIPMER, Pondicherry, Ms Bathula completed her early medical training in India and then continued in the West Midlands, where she also undertook her specialist training. In addition to her extensive medical knowledge, Ms Bathula is proficient in a number of languages as well as English, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi and Urdu. She works in the NHS as a Consultant Gynaecologist & Obstetrician at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and County Hospital Stafford, as well as at her private practice at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital.

A member of the British Menopause Society, Uma Bathula, who specialises in menstrual irregularities, explains, “Heavy periods means menstrual blood loss that is more than normal. It differs from one woman to the next, so I ask my patients to tell me what their normal loss is and how this is greater or longer than the usual 2-5 days or if it is associated with clots or flooding. Where heavy periods are affecting a woman’s quality of life and she reports certain symptoms, we will investigate and then treat her for these problems, using evidence-based treatment.”

Once the cause is ascertained, a specific treatment is decided upon, based on the woman’s age and future fertility plans. Medical, rather than surgical, treatments are usually the first option and this can include a hormonal coil, or oral contraceptive or non- hormonal treatments, such as drugs which help with clotting. Surgery may be advised where medical treatment is ineffective or if there is no wish for future fertility. Minimal access (keyhole) techniques ensure speedy recovery and a quicker return to normal activities. Ms Bathula is a British Society of Colposcopy & Cervical Pathology accredited Colposcopist, dealing with abnormal cervical smears.

Women who experience an early menopause (under 45) are usually advised to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to control their symptoms and to prevent long term complications such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and dementia. For those over 45 experiencing menopausal symptoms, whilst the most effective treatment is HRT, there are other non-hormonal options. All of these will be discussed during the consultation including the risks and benefits of HRT, which vary according to age, length of treatment and previous family history. Current UK guidelines state that there should be no arbitrary time limits for the duration of HRT and that for healthy women under 60, the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks.

If you would like to find out more about the services on offer, Ms Uma Bathula will be hosting the following free event at the hospital, starting with snacks and refreshments at 6.30pm.

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